Air Packaging Machine

ABSTRACT

A machine for manufacturing air pillows from plastic bags includes a frame, a conveyor mechanism, and an air inflating mechanism. The conveyor mechanism includes a motor, a first conveyor linked to the motor and supported in a compartment of the frame, and a second conveyor driven by the first conveyor and supported at a sidewall of the frame out of the compartment for guiding and conveying the plastic bags. The second conveyor has a conveying clearance for fitting the plastic bag when the plastic bags are conveyed by the second conveyor. The air inflating mechanism includes a sealing unit for sealing an opening of the plastic bag and an air needle protruded from the sidewall of the frame for inflating the plastic bag before the opening of the plastic bag is sealed.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a packaging machine. More particularly, the present invention relates to an air packaging machine that manufactures a sequence of air pillows rapidly without being jammed during the operation.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Currently, a plurality of polystyrene popcorns is filled in a box when packaging delicate and fragile products. Theses polystyrene popcorns are small in size that fit snugly around delicate and fragile products to protect them during shipping. However, these polystyrene popcorns are made of non-recyclable material and generate a large volume of waste after use. Air-filled cushions are one of the replacement of the polystyrene popcorns, wherein the delicate and fragile products are wrapped by the air-filled cushions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to have an air packaging machine that manufactures a sequence of air pillows rapidly without being jammed during the operation.

Another objective of the present invention is that the air packaging machine is easy to operate.

Another objective of the present invention is that the air packaging machine is extremely light and portable, so that the operator is able to set up the air packaging machine in areas of limited space.

Another objective of the present invention is that the air packaging machine is an effective and economical machine.

Another objective of the present invention is that the air packaging machine is inexpensive in structure.

Another objective of the present invention is that the air packaging machine contains the advantages of high portability and extremely long service life.

The invention comprises the following, in whole or part:

a frame, a conveyor mechanism, and an air inflating mechanism.

The frame comprises a compartment that the conveyor mechanism and the air inflating mechanism are supported by the frame.

The conveyor mechanism comprises a motor supported in the compartment, a first conveyor means linked to the motor and supported in the compartment, and a second conveyor means driven by the first conveyor means and supported at a sidewall of the frame out of the compartment for guiding and conveying the plastic bags, the second conveyor means has a conveying clearance for fitting the plastic bag when the plastic bags are conveyed by the second conveyor means.

The air inflating mechanism comprises a sealing unit for sealing an opening of the plastic bag and an air needle protruded from the sidewall of the frame for inflating the plastic bag before the opening of said plastic bag is sealed.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention with its objectives and distinctive features and advantages, reference is now made to the following specification and to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an air packaging machine in accordance with the presently embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the air packaging machine in accordance with the presently embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows the interior of the frame of the air packaging machine in accordance with the presently embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the first upper conveyor of the air packaging machine in accordance with the presently embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the first lower conveyor of the air packaging machine in accordance with the presently embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the present invention provides a machine for manufacturing air pillows from plastic bags, comprising a frame, a conveyor mechanism, and an air inflating mechanism.

FIGS. 1 to 3 depict the machine as a presently embodiment, wherein machine comprises a frame, a conveyor mechanism, and an air inflating mechanism.

The frame 10 comprises a front wall 11, a rear wall 12, a top wall 13, a bottom wall 14, and two sidewalls 15 and 16, wherein one of the sidewalls 15 is an operative sidewall. The frame 10 is formed a compact housing that the frame 10 is portable. The frame 10 further has a compartment 17 defined within the front wall 11, the rear wall 12, the top wall 13, the bottom wall 14, and the sidewalls 15 and 16.

The conveyor mechanism 17 comprises a motor 18, a first conveyor means 19, and a second conveyor means 20. The motor 18 is supported within the compartment 17 by the sidewall 15. The first conveyor means 19 is linked to the motor 18 and is supported by the sidewall 15 within the compartment 17. The second conveyor means 20 is driven by said first conveyor means and supported at the sidewall 15 of the frame 10 out of the compartment 17. The second conveyor means 20 will guide and convey the plastic bags in a feeding direction. The second conveyor means 20 further has a conveying clearance 21 for fitting said plastic bag when the plastic bags are conveyed by the second conveyor means 20. The plastic bags are guided to feed at the conveying clearance 21 in the feeding direction.

The air inflating mechanism 22 comprises a sealing unit 23 for sealing an opening of the plastic bag and an air needle 24 protruded from the sidewall 15 of the frame 10 for inflating the plastic bag before the opening of the plastic bag is sealed. When the plastic bags are fed at the conveying clearance 21, the air needle 24 injects air into each of the plastic bags. When the plastic bag is inflated, the opening of the plastic bag is sealed by the sealing unit 23.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the second conveyor means 20 comprises two second upper conveyor rollers 25 and two second lower conveyor rollers 26. The second upper conveyor rollers 25 and the second lower conveyor rollers 26 are made of frictional material such as rubber. Therefore, when they are driven to rotate, the plastic bags are frictionally fed via the second upper conveyor rollers 25 and the second lower conveyor rollers 26 in the feeding direction. The conveying clearance 21 is formed between the upper conveyor rollers 25 and the second lower conveyor rollers 26. The upper conveyor rollers 25 are aligned with the second lower conveyor rollers 26 in a vertical direction.

In FIG. 1, the machine further comprises a plastic bag rolling arm 27 coupled with at the front wall 11 of the frame 10 for holding a roll of the plastic bags to be fed to the conveying clearance 21. The roll of plastic bags is supported by the plastic bag rolling arm 27, wherein the plastic bag is fed at the conveying clearance 21. Therefore, when the plastic bags are fed at the conveying clearance 21 via the upper conveyor rollers 25 and the second lower conveyor rollers 26, the roll of the plastic bags are unrolled at the plastic bag roller arm 27.

The sealing unit 23 comprises an upper sealer 28 and a lower sealer 29 forming a sealing clearance 30 between the upper sealer 28 and the lower sealer 29, wherein the sealing clearance 30 is aligned with the conveying clearance 21 of the second conveyor means 20 in the same planar direction. The plastic bag is fed at the sealing clearance 30 before the conveying clearance 21.

The air needle 24 is extended between the sealing clearance 30. The air needle 24 is also extended at the same direction of the conveying clearance 21 of the second conveyor means 20. The sealing clearance 30 is located between the air needle 24 and the conveying clearance 21, so that the plastic bag will be inflated by the air needle 24 before the opening of the plastic bag is sealed.

In FIG. 3, the air inflating mechanism 22 further comprises an air pressure adjustable means 31 for adjusting an air pressure of the plastic bag. The plastic bag is controllable to be inflated with a predetermined air pressure. The air inflating mechanism 22 further comprises an air blower 32 supported in the compartment 17 and connected to the air needle 25 by an air tube 33.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, the first conveyor means 19 comprises a first upper conveyor 34 and a first lower conveyor 35 linked to the motor 18, and a first transmission gear 36 linked between the first upper conveyor 34 and the lower conveyor 35.

The first upper conveyor 34 comprises two first upper conveyor gears 37 and a first upper convey belt 38 linked between the two upper conveyor gears 37. An outer upper wall 39 and an inner upper wall 40 are provided. The outer upper wall 39 is coupled at the sidewall 15 of the frame 10. The two first upper conveyor gears 37 are spaced apart and are supported by the inner upper wall 40. The first transmission gear 36 is supported between the outer upper wall 39 and the inner upper wall 40. Therefore, the inner upper wall 40 is positioned between the first upper conveyor gears 37 and the first transmission gear 36.

The motor 18 is supported by the first lower conveyor 35 and is located under the first lower conveyor 35. The first lower conveyor 35 comprises two first lower conveyor gears 41 and a first lower convey belt 42 linked between the two lower conveyor gears 41. A second transmission gear 43 linked between the first upper conveyor 35 and the lower conveyor 35. The first transmission gear 36 is meshed with the second transmission gear 43. An outer lower wall 44 and an inner lower wall 45 are provided. The outer lower wall 44 is coupled at the sidewall 15 of the frame 10 and is positioned below the outer upper wall 39. The two first lower conveyor gears 41 are supported by the inner lower wall 45. The second transmission gear 43 is supported between the outer lower wall 44 and the inner lower wall 45. Therefore, the inner lower wall 45 is positioned between the second transmission gear 43 and the first lower conveyor gears 41.

The two second upper conveyor rollers 25 are coaxial with the two first upper conveyor gears 37 respectively. The two second lower conveyor rollers 26 are coaxial with the two first lower conveyor gears 41 respectively.

The two second upper conveyor rollers 25 are respectively driven to rotate by the two first upper conveyor gears 37 and two second lower conveyor rollers 26 are respectively driven to rotate by the two first lower conveyor gears 41.

Four driving axles 46 are extended from the compartment 17 of the frame 10 to an exterior thereof through the sidewall 15. The two second upper conveyor rollers 25 are connected to the two first upper conveyor gears 37 by two of the driving axles 46 respectively. The two second lower conveyor rollers 26 are connected to the two first lower conveyor gears 41 by another two of the driving axles 46 respectively. The second upper conveyor rollers 25 and the second lower conveyor rollers 26 are larger than the first upper conveyor gears 37 and the first lower conveyor gears 41 in diameter.

When meshing the first transmission gear 36 with the second transmission gear 43, the conveying speed of the first conveyor means 19 is the same as the conveying speed of the second conveyor means 20. Therefore, the feeding speed of the plastic bag will be constant and stable to prevent the plastic bag to be jammed at the conveying clearance 21.

During operation, the motor 18 will generate a rotational power to drive the second transmission gear 43 to rotate. The first transmission gear 36 will be driven to rotate by the second transmission gear 43. Through the rotational movements of the first transmission gear 36 and the second transmission gear 43, the two first lower conveyor gears 41 are concurrently rotated by the first lower convey belt 42 and the two first lower conveyor gears 41 are concurrently rotated by the first lower convey belt 42. The rotational speeds of the first lower conveyor gears 41 will be the same which are the same as the rotational speeds of the first lower conveyor gears 41. Therefore, the second upper conveyor rollers 25 and the second lower conveyor rollers 26 are concurrently driven to rotate to convey the plastic bag at a stable and constant speed.

While the embodiments and alternatives of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A machine for manufacturing air pillows from plastic bags, comprising a frame, a conveyor mechanism, and an air inflating mechanism; said frame comprising a compartment that said conveyor mechanism and said air inflating mechanism are supported by said frame; said conveyor mechanism comprising a motor supported in said compartment, a first conveyor means linked to said motor and supported in said compartment, and a second conveyor means driven by said first conveyor means and supported at a sidewall of said frame out of said compartment for guiding and conveying said plastic bags, said second conveyor means has a conveying clearance for fitting said plastic bag when said plastic bags are conveyed by said second conveyor means; said air inflating mechanism comprising a sealing unit for sealing an opening of said plastic bag and an air needle protruded from said sidewall of said frame for inflating said plastic bag before said opening of said plastic bag is sealed.
 2. The machine in claim 1 wherein said first conveyor means comprises a first upper conveyor and a first lower conveyor linked to said motor, and a first transmission gear linked between said first upper conveyor and said lower conveyor.
 3. The machine in claim 2, wherein said first upper conveyor comprises two first upper conveyor gears and a first upper convey belt linked between said two upper conveyor gears, wherein said first lower conveyor comprises two first lower conveyor gears and a first lower convey belt linked between said two lower conveyor gears.
 4. The machine in claim 3 wherein said second conveyor means comprises two second upper conveyor rollers respectively driven to rotate by said two first upper conveyor gears and two second lower conveyor rollers respectively driven to rotate by said two first lower conveyor gears.
 5. The machine in claim 4 wherein said two second upper conveyor rollers are coaxial with said two first upper conveyor gears respectively, wherein said two second lower conveyor rollers are coaxial with said two first lower conveyor gears respectively.
 6. The machine in claim 4 wherein said conveyor mechanism further comprises four driving axles extended from said compartment of the frame to an exterior thereof through said sidewall, wherein said two second upper conveyor rollers are connected to said two first upper conveyor gears by two of said driving axles respectively, wherein said two second lower conveyor rollers are connected to said two first lower conveyor gears by another two of said driving axles respectively.
 7. The machine in claim 4 wherein said second upper conveyor rollers and said second lower conveyor rollers are made of frictional material and are larger than said first upper conveyor gears and said first lower conveyor gears in diameter.
 8. The machine in claim 1 wherein the conveying speed of said first conveyor means is the same as the conveying speed of said second conveyor means.
 9. The machine in claim 1 wherein said sealing unit comprises an upper sealer and a lower sealer forming a sealing clearance between said upper sealer and said lower sealer, wherein said sealing clearance is aligned with said conveying clearance of said second conveyor means in the same planar direction.
 10. The machine in claim 9 wherein said air needle is extended between said sealing clearance.
 11. The machine in claim 1 wherein said air needle is extended at the same direction of said conveying clearance of said second conveyor means.
 12. The machine in claim 1 wherein said air inflating mechanism further comprises an air pressure adjustable means for adjusting an air pressure of said plastic bag.
 13. The machine in claim 12 wherein said air pressure adjustable means is supported by said sidewall of said frame.
 14. The machine in claim 1 further comprising a plastic bag rolling arm coupled with said frame for holding a roll of said plastic bags to be fed to said conveying clearance.
 15. The machine in claim 2 wherein said motor is supported by said first lower conveyor and is located under said first lower conveyor.
 16. The machine in claim 1 wherein said air inflating mechanism further comprises an air blower supported in said compartment and connected to said air needle by an air tube. 